Spaying and neutering of shelter dogs is mandatory in many states in order to decrease the overpopulation of homeless animals. Even if it is not mandatory in your local shelter, chances are that they will sterilize a dog in their care, unless someone who is ready to adopt specifically requests a dog that was not yet spayed or neutered.
Fortunately, the number of adopted dogs is growing each year, and the number of euthanized dogs is getting lower as a direct consequence. But there are many other things that go on in the shelter after a dog arrives there and before it gets out of it, one way or another.
While animal rescue groups frequently place dogs in foster care, there are also many shelters that have this option as well. Dogs that spend a period of time in foster care will have a better chance of getting adopted later, and in many cases the foster family decides to keep the dog permanently.
Hygiene is a very important part of shelter life. Dogs must be bathed and groomed regularly to prevent any health issues, but also to look as presentable as they can to potential adopters. Dogs that come into the shelter are immediately washed and cleaned since many of them come off the streets.
With the rising popularity and better accuracy of genetic testing, some shelters and veterinary clinics may also do dog DNA tests to better assess the unidentified dog’s breed and predisposition for certain health problems. DNA testing is still expensive and likely won’t become the norm anytime soon, but some shelters do offer it. Once the dog’s health is determined, the vet will suggest the next step. Dogs with infectious diseases will be placed in isolation pens until they are better to prevent the spreading of the disease. Severely injured dogs will either be treated or euthanized.
It’s also important to have a plan for your pet. What will happen if you can no longer care for it? If the vet bills pile up? What steps are you taking to make your pet a good citizen of your community? Are you consistent about picking up their poop? Do you make sure that every stranger you meet on your walk is dog-friendly before you allow your dog to sniff them? Do you let your cat roam and use the neighborhood birds for snacks? These are the types of behaviors that discourage landlords from allowing pets. As pet owners, we need to take responsibility not just for our pets, but also our actions that help make the world more pet-friendly to our best friends!
Each year, many animals end up in animal shelters in the United States. Why do they end up there? The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP) researchers went into 12 selected animal shelters in the United States, and the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) published their findings for the top 10 reasons people say that they were surrendering an animal. Keep in mind that this is only based on those animals that were surrendered by their owner. Many animals that end up at the shelter are picked up by animal control or found by a stranger and we cannot say why their owner abandoned them.
People who work at shelters love animals – they are not in it for the money and the glamour. Every single one of them wishes that their job was unnecessary and that people would be responsible with their pets. If they were writing to pet owners, they would ask all owners to get their animals sterilized. There are a multitude of places that offer free or low-cost spay or neuter, so price is not the issue. Dogs that are fixed are 4.5 times less likely to bite, and they have a lower risk of getting many types of diseases such as cancer.
The other obvious reason that pets end up at animal shelters is that they get out of their yards or homes – and without pet identification. Animal control or a neighbor will bring them to the shelter. It’s a great reason to have a microchip and visible ID on your pet at all times. It also serves as a reminder that if you do find a loose animal, turn them into the shelter. If one of our dogs were lost, we wouldn’t think to check every neighbor’s garage, but we would run to the closest shelters to find them.
The next time you or someone you know is thinking about making a furry addition to the family, consider checking out your local shelter. Many offer information to potential adopters about the animals’ previous circumstances so you won’t be in the dark about where they’re coming from. An adopted pet will be every bit as loving, loyal and well behaved as a purchased pet, even if it’s former home wasn’t a good fit.
Far from being tainted or unadoptable, it seems relinquished dogs and cats are simply at the mercy of unequipped owners or unfortunate circumstances. Often it’s a case of living in the wrong place at the wrong time.
For first-time pet owners, there’s often a stigma attached to dogs and cats that come from shelters and adoption centers. Due to the mistaken belief that shelter animals were given up because they didn’t make good pets, many potential owners see them as tainted or undesirable. As a result, shelter animals are frequently overlooked in favor of the puppies and kittens in pet store windows.
Dr. John G. New, Jr. and Dr. M. D. Salman , et al.“Human and Animal Factors Related to the Relinquishment of Dogs and Cats in 12 Selected Animal Shelters in the United States.” Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 1, no. 3: 207-226.
* NOTE: Percentages were compiled in an article on www.petfinder.com. The percentages do not add up to 100% because they represent only the top ten reasons owners gave.
Why dogs end up in shelters
“Rescue Me” is a recurring column by Samantha Randall, editor-in-chief at Top Dog Tips. She’ll provide personal anecdotes and perspective about her life as a pet lover with a passion for cat and dog rescue. Today, she takes a look at the life of a dog immediately after it arrives at its new temporary home.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, more than 3 million dogs enter animal shelters each year in the U.S. This staggering number becomes even more shocking when we know that around a fifth of all shelter dogs get euthanized.
Fortunately, the number of adopted dogs is growing each year, and the number of euthanized dogs is getting lower as a direct consequence. But there are many other things that go on in the shelter after a dog arrives there and before it gets out of it, one way or another.